H5N1 avian influenza (H5 bird flu)

H5 bird flu: current situation

Cases of H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza, also know as H5 bird flu, have been confirmed in wild seabirds in Western Australia, South Australia and New South Wales.

These are the first confirmed detections in Australia.

South Australia has confirmed H5 bird flu in a greater crested tern found dead at Robe Marina. This is the first confirmed detection in an Australian seabird.

There are currently no confirmed detections of H5 bird flu in Victoria. There are also no detections in poultry in Australia and no signs of mass wildlife deaths.

Overseas, this strain has caused severe disease and high death rates in poultry, wild birds and other wildlife. Human cases are rare and the virus does not spread easily between people.

Victorians should stay alert and report sick or dead birds and other wildlife. Do not touch dead wildlife.

This strain of bird flu is different from the H7 strains found on Victorian poultry farms in 2024 and 2025.

For updates, visit this page regularly and follow Agriculture Victoria on Facebook.

For more information about the situation across Australia, visit Bird flu.